Philippines, 02 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Arum’s Plans Were on the Nose


PhilBoxing.com


When Bob Arum decided to offer Bobby Pacquiao a fight with Humberto Soto, it was easy to surmise that deep within his mind set, he was already planning a possible fight between Soto and Manny Pacquiao. The Pacman and Soto are both fighters in his stable so that would not be too difficult to arrange. But even with that, he must have a good plan to pull off the fight. And, what a plan he had!

With Soto decisively beating Bobby Pacquiao, Arum ‘s plans were on the nose!

As an old dog in the business so to speak, Arum knew all along that Bobby’s chances of winning against Soto are at best minimal. Thus, setting up the Soto-Bobby fight will play out well in making the Soto-Pacman tiff possible because there will be a reason to get it done. That reason is revenge!

Arum played the game without admitting publicly that all along he had in mind the Soto-Pacman fight. That’s the savvy promoter he is!

While admittedly, the above is pure speculation, there could be some truth in it.

How?

All the big money fighters are with Golden Boy. And, that is not to mention the intense rivalry between Top Rank and GBP. So a savage Soto victory over Bobby would make it easier to set up the Soto-Pacman fight. Judging from the facial reaction of the Pacman when Bobby was counted out in the 7th round, one can see that then and there, he wanted to avenge the defeat of his younger brother.

How could he not? Blood is thicker than water and it is only normal for Manny to feel that way for he felt for his brother. If nothing else, it will save the legacy of the family name. And, playing out the “revenge angle” will generate a lot of interest amongst the Mexican and Filipino fight fans. As we all know, in the fight business, fans’ interest almost always translates to money to be made.

Most importantly, Arum need not worry about dealing with the Golden Boy. He can now generate fans’ interest ( read: - lots of money to be made) by simply playing out the “revenge angle”. With, it would not be too difficult to sell the Pacman-Soto fight, be it in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Vancouver or anywhere else. What a genius!

On the other side of the coin, Bobby’s 7th round knock-out should not be something for him to be ashamed of. He gave a good performance and fought his heart out knowing that his chances were very slim. His performance truly showed the family genes that made him and his brother true warriors to the end. Mabuhay ka Bobby!



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • 12-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
    , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.